Tackling machine



A. P. COSTA 1,909,461

TACKLING MACHINE May 16, 1933.

Filed June 4, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTOR WITNESS: 2 ATTORNEY May 16, 1933. A. P. cos'rA TACKLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1932 INVENTOR BY myzw ea- ATTOR N EY WITNESS:

Ma 16, 1933. A. P. COSTA TACKLING MACHINE Filed June 4. 1932 WITNESS:

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTOR N EY Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES Arm FFEE ANTHONY 1'. COSTA, F ATHENS, eEoRGI As sIGNoR TO. HARRY J. MEI-IRE, or

ATHENS, GEORGIA TACKLING MACHINE Application filed June 4, 1932. Serial No. 615,385.

to .the person substantially the same effect as when tackling another moving person as occurs in football or similar games. I

Another object of this invention is the provision of tension means which afford the desired resistance for the dummy when tackled and which automatically returns the dummy to its initial position when released A further object of this invention is the provision of means for checking re-bound of the dummy when returned by the tension means to its initial position.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a mounting for the dummy and its tension means, whereby the dummy may be moved in a certain direction prior to being tackled by the person, giving said person the experience of tackling a moving object or person.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is .to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which I Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a tackling machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating the tensioning means for the dummy adapted to automatically return the dummy to its initial position when released from a tackle.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view 45 illustrating the means ofchecking the rebound of the dummy.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view-illustrating a slotted lever forming part of the re-bound check.

- Figureb is a fragmentary sectional View so that it will be ready to be again tackled.

showing a modified form of tension means for the dummy.

Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section of the modified form of tension means.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a supporting structure including pairs of corner posts '2 adapted to be sunk in the ground and said posts are connected in pairs by bars 3 and the bars 3 are connected by a horizontal bar 4 forming a track on which the tackling device is mounted. Guide wires 5 are connected to the upper ends of theposts and to suitable anchors driven in the ground for the purpose of steadying the supporting structure l. A

A skeleton frame 6 is provided with an offset portion 7 in which is journalled a grooved roller 8 adapted to travel on the track or horizontal bar 4. The shaft of the roller 8 has wound therearound one'run of an endless cable 9 which is also trained over grooved pulleys 10 mounted on the frame 1 where the horizontal bar 4 connects with the bars 3. One of the pulleys 10 is secured to a shaft 11 which is journalled in brackets 12 and is provided with a grooved pulley 13. The groove pulley 13 has an endless belt or cable 14 trained thereover which is in turn trained over an operating wheel 15 journalled to a bracke-t16 on one of the posts 2 and provided with a han dle 16 whereby said wheel may berot ated in either direction. The purpose of the wheel 15 is to move the dummy backwards and forwards between the pairs of posts thereby providing a movable dummy for a person to tackle. V

The frame 6 has journalled therein a-tube 17 to which a drum 18 is secured. The drum 18 has wound thereon a cable 19 suitably connected to 'a dummy 20. Extending through the-tube 17 is a shaft 21 and surrounding the shaftis a coiled-spring 22, one end of which is attached to the shaft as shown at 23 and the other end attached to the tube as shown at '24. A rod 25 is carried by one end of the shaft 21 and engages a pin or stop 26 carried by the frame -the restricted portion of the slot.

6 to prevent unwinding of the spring 22 when tensioned. The other end of the shaft 21 from the rod 25 is provided with a collar 27 which with the rod 25 will permit said shaft to be shifted slightly endwise relative to the sleeve 17 to move the rod 25 out of the path of the stop 26 whereby the spring may be tensioned by holding the sleeve against rotation. The sleeve being held against rotation due to a stop 28 secured to the cable 19 adjacent the dummy and engaging a bracket 29 carried by the frame 6. The bracket 29 is provided with an opening to permit the cable to slide therethrough until the stop 28 engages said bracket. An arm 30 is secured to the frame 6 and to the bracket 29 and depends from the latter and has pivoted thereto a check lever 31, one end of which is enlarged and angularly related and provided with a flaring slot 32 through which the cable 19 passes. The other end of the lever 31 carries an adjusting bolt 32' engageable with the under side of the frame 6 for the purpose of limiting the downward movement of the enlarged slotted end of the check lever. The check lever may have a limited pivotal movement. The enlarged portion of the slot 32 is of sufficient size to permit the stop 28 on the cable to move therethrough, however, the smaller part of the slot will check the movement of the cable in one direction due to the stop 28 not being able to pass through The weight of the enlarged portion of the check lever is sufficient to maintain the check lever in a substantially horizontal position with the adjusting bolt 32 in engagement with the frame 6. The action of the spring 22 is to normally wind the cable on the drum, consequently positioning the dummy 20 in a suspended position and in close proximity to the frame 6 as shown in Figure 1.

In operation, the dummy 20 is moved from the left of the frame 1 towards the right thereof by rotating the wheel 15 and the player or person practicing tackling runs after and tackles the dummy, which causes the dummy to swing slightly forward or towards the right end of the frame 6. The tackling of the dummy causes a playing out of the cable from the drum and the stop 28 moves freely through the enlarged portion of the slot in the check lever 31. The force of the person tackling the dummy unwinds the cable from the drum against the action of the spring 22, which afiords the desired resistance to the dummy when tackled. The person after making the tackle releases the dummy and the cable is rapidly wound on the drum by the spring 22 and as the stop 28 strikes the lever 31, said lever tilts into the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 so that the stop may pass through the enlarged portion of the slot 32 into engagement with the bracket 29, the lever 3l then immediately gravitating into its normal position. As the stop strikes the bracket 29, it causes a sudden stopping of the winding of the cable onto the drum which causes the dummy, due to its weight, to rebound and slightly unwind the cable from the drum until the stop strikes the upper face of the lever 31 and at the restricted portion of the slot. The stop not being able to pass through the slot, checks the rebound of the dummy, the bolt 32 at this time being in engagement with the frame and prevents downward movement of the lever beyond its normal or full line position shown in Figure 3. After the checking of the rebound of the dummy, the spring 22 then fully winds the cable onto the drum or brings the stop again into engagement with the bracket 29, the dummy then being positioned ready for another tackle.

Referring to my modified form of invention as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a suitable supporting structure 33 is provided with spaced hangers 34 having journals 35 in which is journalled a shaft 36. A drum 37 is journalled on the shaft 36 between the hangers 34 and has wound on its periphery a cable 38 to which the dummy 20 is attached. The cable 38 is provided with a stop 39 similar to the stop 28 and which is en ageable with a guide 40 carried by a frame 41 on the supporting structure 33. The guide is provided with an opening which will permit the cable to pass therethrough until engaged by the stop 39. The drum 37 is of hollow formation and has a clock type spring 42 located therein, one end of which is secured to the drum and the other end is secured to the shaft 36 for the purpose of rotating the drum in one direction for winding the cable 38 on the drum and to afford resistance to the unwinding of the cable on the drum when the dummy is tackled. One end of the shaft 36 is provided with a handle 43 and a ratchet mechanism 43 whereby the tension of the spring may be increased or decreased.

A brake drum 45 is carried by the cable drum 37 and surrounds the shaft 36 to be engaged by a brake band 46 of spiral for mation having one end connected to a bracket 48 and its other end connected to an adjusting rod 47 which extends through an aperture in the bracket 48 and has threaded thereon a wing nut 50. Interposed between the bracket 48 and the nut 50 on the adjusting rod is a coiled spring 49 which provides a yieldable connection between one end of the brake band with the bracket 48 so that during the winding of the cable 38 on the drum 37 by the action of the spring 42, the rotation of the drum will be checked or retarded as the cable becomes fully wound thereon or when the stop 39 engages the guide 40.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a tension device on said structure, a dummy connected to said tenston device and adapted when tackled by a person to yield with a desired resistance, said tension device automatically returning the dummy to its initial position after being released by the person, and means for check ing the rebound of the dummy when returned to its initial position.

2-. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a spring re-wound drum carried by said structure, a cable attached to and wound on said drum, and a dummy connected to the cable and adapted to be tackled by a person and yield with a given resistance and to automatically return to its initial position when released by said person. i

3. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a spring re-wound drum carried by said structure, a cable attached to and wound on said drum, a dummy con-c nected to the cable and adapted to be tackled by a person and yield with a given resistance and to automatically return to its initial position when released by said person, and means for checking the re-bound of the dummy when returned to its initial position.

4. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame carried by said structure, a spring re-wound drum carried by said frame, a cable secured to and wound on the drum, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, a stop carried by the cable adjacent the dummy and a bracketcarried by the frame to be engaged by the stop for limiting the winding of the cable onto the drum.

5. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame carried by said structure, a spring re-wound drum carried by said frame, a cable secured to and wound on the drum, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, a stop carried by the cable adjacent the dummy, a bracket carried by the frame to be engaged by the stop for limiting the winding of the cable onto the drum, and means for checking the rebound of the dummy when the stop engages the bracket.

6. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame carried by said structure, a spring re-wound drum carried by said frame, a cable secured to and wound and on the drui'n, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, :a stop carried by the cable adjacent the dummy, a bracket carried by the frame to be engaged by the stop for limiting the winding of the cable onto the drum, a check lever pivoted to the frame and having a flared slot with the cable extending therethrough, the slotted portion of said lever being disposed angularly to the remaining portion of said lever and adapted to engage the bracket during the movement of-the lever in one direction for permitting the stop to pass through the enlarged portion ofthe slot for engagement with the bracket, and an adjustable means carried by the lever to engage the frame for limiting the pivotal movement of said check lever in an opposite direction to permit the stop to be confined between the bracket and the check lever on approximately the completion of re-winding of the cable on the drum to check the re-bound of the dummy.

7. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame movably mounted on said structure, means for moving the frame from one end of the structure to the other end, a spring re-Wound means carried by the frame, a cable connected to and wound on said means, and a dummy connected to the free end of the cable.

8. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame movably mounted on said structure, means for moving a frame from one end of the structure to the other end, a spring re-Wound means carried by the frame, a cable connected to and wound on said means, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, and means for checking the winding of the cable onto the second means when the dummy is released after being tackled.

9. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a frame movably mounted on said structure, means for moving the frame from one end of the structure to the other end, a spring re-wound means carried by the frame, a cable connected to and wound on said means, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, means for checking the winding of the cable onto the second means when the dummy is released 'after being tackled, and means for checking the re-bound of the dummy when said second means checks the winding of the cable on the spring re-wound means.

10. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a shaft carried by said supporting structure, a drum journalled on the shaft, a spring re-winding means between the drum and the shaft, a cable secured to and wound on the drum, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, a stop secured. to the cable adjacent the dummy, a guide carried by the supporting structure and having the cable extending therethrough to be engaged by the stop for checking the Winding of the cable on the re-Winding means.

11. A tackling machine comprising a supporting structure, a shaft carried by said supporting structure, a drum journalled 0n the shaft, a spring re-Winding means between the drum and the shaft, a cable secured to and Wound on the drum, a dummy connected to the free end of the cable, a stop secured to the cable adjacent the dummy, a guide carried by the supporting structure and having the cable extending therethrough to be engaged by the stop for checking the Winding of the cable on the re-Winding means, and a brake for the re Winding means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' ANTHONY P. COSTA. 

